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Structure of symmetric and asymmetric "ripple" phases in lipid bilayers

Olaf Lenz·Friederike Schmid
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Abstract

We reproduce the symmetric and asymmetric ``rippled'' $P_{β'}$ states of lipid membranes by Monte Carlo simulations of a coarse-grained molecular model for lipid-solvent mixtures. The structure and properties compare favorably with experiments. The asymmetric ripple state is characterized by a periodic array of fully interdigitated ``defect'' lines. The symmetric ripple state maintains a bilayer structure, but is otherwise structurally similar. The formation of both ripple states is driven by the propensity of lipid molecules with large head groups to exhibit splay.

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Olaf Lenz, Friederike Schmid. 2007-08-06. Structure of symmetric and asymmetric "ripple" phases in lipid bilayers. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.98.058104

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